Final studying

Question 1

O horizon (3 things)

Answer 1

• the top most layer
• primarily composed of organic matter at various stages of decomposition and humus
• organic content is important for retaining water

Question 2

A horizon (4 things)

Answer 2

• mineral layer that forms below the O horizon
• humus and other organic materials are mized with minerals
• a zone of translocation from which eluviation has removed finer particles and soluble substances
• separated into Ah (darker upper horizon of organic accumulation) and Ae (lower and loss of mateiral by eluviation)

Question 3

B horizon (2 things)

Answer 3

• mineral soil layer which is strongly influenced by illuviation
• often coloured by oxides of iron and aluminum or by calcium carbonate (from the A horizon)

Question 4

C horizon (2 things)

Answer 4

• composed of weathered parent material
• from clay to boulders

Question 5

R horizon

Answer 5

• a layer of unweathered bedrock

Question 6

what is the difference between illuviation and eluviation

Answer 6

• illuviation = deposition of nutrients and organic materials in deeper horizons
• eluviation = superficial layer of the soils